Duncan James has said his late friend Tara Palmer-Tomkinson is now safe from her “demons”.
James, 38, said the former It Girl can now rest “without being frightened or scared”.
The Hollyoaks actor opened up about his friendship with Palmer-Tomkinson who died aged 45 on Wednesday and said his heart is broken.
“I could talk all day about her because that is how much she meant to me and how much she affected my life on a daily basis and so many hearts are broken who knew and loved Tara and she will be missed so very much,” he told The Sun.
Paying tribute: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson with Duncan James
PA“She sadly battled many demons and now she will be truly at rest without being frightened or scared.”
James also addressed the speculation that they had dated in the past and said Palmer-Tomkinson once joked that they had tied the knot.
He said: “We always joked that we would grow old together and be the best of friends for life.
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“However, I know deep down Tara would have loved nothing more than to meet someone, settle down and be happy.”
Palmer-Tomkinson was found in her London flat by her cleaner.
The socialite, who had a history of cocaine addiction, was reportedly suffering from a rare and debilitating auto-immune condition in the lead up to her death.
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Tributes came flooding in from stars including Lady Victoria Hervey who said she was “completely shocked”.
Tamara Beckwith - who was regularly pictured with Palmer-Tomkinson on the London party scene - described her as a “shining light” and “one of life’s true characters”.
Holly Willoughby also paid tribute to her “incredibly kind” friend and recalled how Palmer-Tomkinson gave her her Chanel ring the first time they met.
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